SARM Cycles 101: A Balanced Look at the Options

Selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) are being reviewed as a possible treatment for cachexia due to their anabolic effects (1, 2, 3).

However, there are no official dosing or cycle protocols issued by pharmaceutical authorities (4). This is due to SARMs not being approved by the FDA (5).

This guide will detail the common dosages we see being utilized among men and women and the potential side effects associated with such cycles.

SARM Cycles

A first SARM cycle is typically an Ostarine-only cycle, as it can produce notable effects on body composition, with moderate muscle-building and fat-burning (6, 7). Ostarine also poses less toxicity than other SARMs, such as YK-11 or S23, deeming it a lighter SARM for novices.

Anecdotally, we typically see users build up to 10 pounds of muscle on Ostarine while burning approximately 3% of subcutaneous body fat.

Ostarine-Only

Week(s)	Dosage
1	10 mg/day
2	15 mg/day
3-8	20 mg/day

The above dosages are common for beginners during their first SARM cycle. 10 mg/day and 15 mg/day for the first two weeks introduce Ostarine to the body, with the dosage increasing to a moderate dose of 20 mg/day for the following 6 weeks.

Some individuals can take up to 30 mg/day of Ostarine. However, this can be considered a high dose and is more commonly utilized by experienced users.

Women typically take 5–10 mg/day of Ostarine for 4–8 weeks.

Ostarine has a half-life of 24 hours, so it can be administered once per day (8).

The above user detailed his cycle on Reddit. He took 20 mg/day of Ostarine for 45 days and lost 3 kg (7 lb), notably reducing his body fat while simultaneously adding significant amounts of muscle hypertrophy and strength.

Dr. Nicholas Downey says, “Ostarine can be viewed as more powerful than Anavar milligram for milligram,” based on existing research (9, 10). However, Dr. Downey adds that Ostarine’s side effects may be comparable to anabolic steroids, even at a lower dose (11).

Adverse Effects

We have found Ostarine’s side effects to be mild in contrast to other SARMs (12).

However, Ostarine is capable of causing:

1. Hepatitis (liver inflammation)
2. Hypercholesterolemia (negative cholesterol alterations)
3. Hypogonadism (testosterone deficiency)

TUDCA supplementation at 500 mg/day can be utilized during an Ostarine cycle to reduce alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) levels (13).

Furthermore, 4 g/day of fish oil, a diet rich in unsaturated fats, and regular cardiovascular exercise may reduce blood pressure (14, 15, 16).

Post-cycle therapy (PCT) can also be utilized upon cycle cessation to accelerate hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis (HPTA) recovery (17).

One effective PCT protocol we have found is 20 mg/day of Nolvadex, taken for 4 weeks (18).

Disclosure: We do not accept any form of advertising on Inside Bodybuilding. We monetize our practice via doctor consultations and carefully chosen supplement recommendations, which have given our patients excellent results.

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Bulking Cycles

RAD 140

RAD 140 (Testolone) is considered by some to be the best SARM due to its beneficial effects on muscle hypertrophy and strength without affecting aromatization or causing excessively harsh side effects (19).

RAD 140 users can build up to 15 pounds of lean muscle while burning notable amounts of fat. Users are likely to increase their muscular strength on compound lifts by 20–30%. RAD 140’s potent anabolic nature means it is primarily labeled as a bulking SARM.

RAD 140 may be considered the most optimal single SARM cycle. However, it may not be suitable for beginners due to its harshness compared to Ostarine. Thus, a RAD 140 cycle can be a suitable follow-up cycle to Ostarine.

Weeks	Dosage
1-8	10 mg/day

RAD 140 is typically taken in dosages of 10–20 mg/day for 6–12 weeks. However, anecdotally, we have evidence that optimal results can be achieved at 10 mg/day. Beyond this point, further results may be minimal while exacerbating side effects.

Experienced users who have built up a level of tolerance to RAD 140, however, commonly increase their dosage to 15–20 mg/day.

RAD 140 has a half-life of 60 hours (20). Thus, daily dosing is not essential for peak concentrations in the bloodstream. However, a common protocol for users is to take RAD-140 once per day, especially as it was previously believed to possess a half-life of 20 hours.

The above Reddit user took 10 mg/day of RAD 140 for 7 weeks, contributing to a 6.2 kg increase in lean body mass and a 2.8% reduction in body fat. He did not experience any discernible side effects from his cycle, except for increased perspiration (hyperhidrosis). His strength improved by approximately 20% on the bench press, squat, and deadlift.

Adverse Effects

RAD 140 can replicate the same side effects as Ostarine but with additional intensity. Thus, transaminitis (elevated liver enzymes) is possible, as well as endogenous testosterone suppression, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol may be negatively impacted (21, 22, 23).

• In our experience, administering a conservative dosage of 10 mg/day can be an effective methodology to decrease the side effects of RAD 140.
• Furthermore, supplementing with 500 mg/day of TUDCA and 4 g/day of fish oil may reduce hepatotoxicity and cardiotoxicity.

Nolvadex can also be an effective PCT treatment at 20 mg/day for 4 weeks, accelerating full restoration of the HPTA.

Hair loss or acne vulgaris may be experienced by individuals genetically susceptible to androgenetic alopecia or overstimulated sebaceous glands. These two side effects are possible due to RAD 140 indirectly affecting natural 5-alpha-reductase levels.

LGD-4033-Only

LGD-4033, or Ligandrol, is another bulking SARM, similar in potency to RAD 140. We typically see LGD-4033 produce greater weight gain than RAD-140. However, both SARMs can produce equal amounts of muscle and strength.

LGD-4033 can increase the body’s natural aromatization levels, thereby increasing estrogen. This contributes to additional water retention, potentially obscuring muscle definition.

We typically see LGD-4033 users gain up to 20 pounds, with approximately 25% of this being water weight. Some subjects respond more positively to LGD-4033 and others to RAD 140; thus, it is advisable to experiment with each of these compounds.

Weeks	Dosage
1-8	6 mg/day

Dosages of LGD-4033 typically range from 4 to 10 mg/day, with 6 mg/day being a common protocol.

LGD-4033 may be administered once per day, with it possessing a half-life of 24-36 hours (24).

The above user experienced exceptional results in muscle hypertrophy, strength, and subcutaneous fat loss. He detailed on Reddit that he ingested a high dose of 10 mg/day for 8 weeks, which contributed to a 20-pound gain of fat-free mass.

• Despite taking a higher dose, this user did not report any unpleasant side effects, except for an insignificant bout of acne vulgaris.
• He did not administer post-cycle therapy due to an absence of low testosterone symptoms.

Although this user did not experience any obvious toxicity, it is advised for individuals to have their bloodwork monitored pre-, during, and post-cycle by a physician.

Adverse Effects

LGD-4033 can mimic the same side effects as RAD 140, to approximately the same degree. Thus, dyslipidemia, peliosis hepatis, and testosterone suppression remain possible (25).

Therefore, supplements such as fish oil at 4 g/day, TUDCA at 500 mg/day, and Nolvadex as a PCT at 20 mg/day can be beneficial.

LGD-4033 does not typically cause androgenic side effects such as male pattern baldness, as we see 5-alpha-reductase levels remaining stable.

However, aromatization levels can increase indirectly, potentially causing mild gynecomastia and edema in users who are genetically sensitive to high estrogen.

Cutting Cycles

Cardarine-Only

Cardarine is a PPARD (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta) agonist; however, it is sometimes incorrectly referred to as a SARM.

Two main benefits of Cardarine are adipose tissue reduction and enhanced muscular endurance (26, 27). We have had users experience up to 40 pounds of weight loss following 8- to 12-week cycles. Research has shown Cardarine to enhance endurance by 68% in 3 weeks in rodent models (28). This effect can be attributed to Cardarine inducing mitochondrial biogenesis.

Cardarine decreases fat mass by significantly improving insulin sensitivity, lipid balance, and glucose tolerance. This consequently transitions the body from previously burning glucose for energy to adipose tissue.

Clinical research also suggests that Cardarine has mild anabolic properties (29), which may contribute to muscle retention when cutting.

Weeks	Dosage
1-8	10 mg/day

Cardarine is typically taken in dosages of 10–20 mg/day for 8–12 weeks. However, we have found that lower dosages and shorter cycles can produce positive outcomes.

Cardarine has a half-life of 24 hours and thus can be taken once per day for stable blood concentrations.

Another Reddit user above cycled Cardarine at 10 mg/day during week 1 and 20 mg/day during weeks 2–8. His weight dropped from 205 pounds to 165 pounds.

The above Reddit user cycled Cardarine for 4 weeks at 10 mg/day, enabling him to reduce his weight by 20 pounds.

This example demonstrates that low dosages of Cardarine and short cycles remain efficacious.

Adverse Effects

Cardarine is not technically a SARM, and thus it has differing side effects (30). Cardarine has not been shown to cause impairment to the HPTA, and thus endogenous testosterone levels commonly remain at a standard level. Cholesterol levels can improve on Cardarine (31), making it a cardioprotective stacking option with SARMs that reduce HDL (high-density lipoprotein).

However, due to Cardarine being administered orally, we see it adversely affecting ALT and AST enzymes. Therefore, caution is required if stacking Cardarine with multiple hepatotoxic SARMs, which can potentially cause peliosis hepatis in susceptible individuals.

• Research has shown Cardarine to be carcinogenic when utilized in high dosages of 5 mg/kg per day for prolonged periods in rodent models.
• Thus, if an individual has proliferated cancerous tumors, Cardarine may exacerbate this condition (32).

The risk of cardarine inducing tumors in standard dosages and short cycles is unclear. We are aware of male and female patients who have taken Cardarine in the short term successfully without malignancy; however, its long-term effects are unknown.

Cardarine’s carcinogenic risk may also be dependent on the individual’s predisposition to cancer, the dosage utilized, and the duration of use.

Stenabolic-Only

Stenabolic, or SR9009, is a REV-ERB agonist and therefore is not technically a SARM (33). Thomas Burris, Ph.D., formulated Stenabolic and claims that SR9009 can exhibit anabolic and lipolytic effects triggered by oxidative stress in animal research (34). He compares this chemical process to how humans build muscle and burn fat through exercise.

REV-ERB agonists work by modifying an individual’s circadian rhythm (35). Thus, they are intended to induce wakefulness during daylight hours.

How Does Stenabolic Burn Fat?

Our tests show improvements in glucose and lipid metabolism on Stenabolic, increasing basal metabolic rate (36).

• Related: BMR Calculator

Stenabolic also possesses direct fat-burning properties, as it shifts the body’s primary energy source from glucose to fat stores.

Stenabolic is similar in potency to Cardarine, making it a potential cancer-free alternative compound. Users can experience vast fatty acid oxidation and significantly improved muscular endurance (37).

How Much Fat Can Subjects Lose From Stenabolic?

We have observed users decrease their body fat by 5% from Stenabolic when administered correctly. Stenabolic has a very low biological availability when taken in pill form, so users are unlikely to experience any notable effects. The most optimal methods to administer Stenabolic are by injecting it or taking it sublingually. Merely swallowing it is unlikely to be sufficient for absorption of this compound.

Taking Stenabolic sublingually involves placing the solution under the tongue for 10–15 seconds before swallowing. This enables a fast and efficient entry into the bloodstream due to sufficient contact with the mucous membrane, thus bypassing first-pass metabolism (38).

The following dosages are tailored for users administering Stenabolic sublingually.

Week	Dosage
Week 1-8	30 mg/day

Typical Stenabolic dosages can range from 20 to 30 mg/day.

As Stenabolic has a short half-life of 4-6 hours, it may be taken three times per day.

• 10 mg at breakfast
• 10 mg at lunch
• 10 mg at dinner
  
  This user took 20 mg/day of Stenabolic for 8 weeks in combination with 15–20 mg/day of RAD 140.

He reported on Reddit that he lost approximately 5% of body fat and added 8 pounds of muscle tissue while eating in a 500-calorie deficit.

Adverse Effects

• Stenabolic users generally report few side effects. However, a temporary stimulative effect on the central nervous system can be expected.
• Thus, sensitive users may experience increased sweating, caused by higher epinephrine levels.

Stenabolic can be stacked with Cardarine or Ostarine for enhanced fat loss and muscle retention when cutting. A standard Ostarine dosage is 20 mg/day for 8 weeks.

RAD 140, LGD-4033, and MK-677

Intermediate users who have already conducted several SARM cycles can combine RAD 140, LGD-4033, and MK-677 simultaneously for increased muscle hypertrophy.

• MK-677, or Ibutamoren, is a growth hormone secretagogue (39, 40) that can be combined with SARMs to enhance anabolism and reduce subcutaneous fat.
• MK-677’s muscle-building effects are generally considered more prominent than its lipolytic properties, and thus it is more commonly utilized in bulking cycles.

We have received reports of MK-677 adding 6 pounds of lean muscle tissue to first-time users. When utilized with RAD 140 and LGD-4033, muscle hypertrophy and strength can increase notably.

“MK-677 raises growth hormone and IGF-1 levels as it binds to ghrelin receptors,” says Robin Riddle, FNP-C. This enhances anabolism in the body. Riddle also explains that MK-677 can have hyperphagic effects (increasing appetite), aiding users in their attempts to gain weight and muscle mass (41, 42). The main side effect Riddle has observed is water retention, with other benefits being increased bone mineral density and improved sleep quality (43).

A RAD 140, LGD-4033, and MK-677 stack is not typically taken by beginners. Instead, intermediates who have previously cycled LGD-4033 or RAD 140 with acceptable side effects are more inclined to utilize it.

Such a stack can enable users to continue adding muscle mass after initial growth spurts from RAD 140-only and LGD-4033-only cycles.

Weeks	LGD-4033 Dosage	RAD 140 Dosage	MK-677 Dosage
1-2	5 mg/day	5 mg/day	10 mg/day
3-8	5 mg/day	15 mg/day	20 mg/day

The above user cycled MK-677, RAD 140, and LGD-4033 simultaneously, inducing positive improvements in muscle hypertrophy, thickness, and strength. He published his results on Facebook, and they are typical of an individual who has a history of SARM or anabolic steroid use and then utilizes a potent bulking stack to overcome a hypertrophy plateau.

Adverse Effects

We consider RAD 140, LGD-4033, and MK-677 to be a harsh SARM cycle, and thus cholesterol levels can surge, as well as ALT and AST enzymes, presenting significant cardiac and hepatic issues. With an aggressive stack like this, we typically see users experience notable suppression, requiring an aggressive PCT to recover endogenous testosterone.

What Medications Can Restore HPTA Function?

The following PCT protocol designed by Dr. Michael Scally has helped restore endogenous testosterone levels in hypogonadal men:

1. HCG: 2000 IU administered every other day for 20 days
2. Tamoxifen (Nolvadex): 2 x 20 mg for 45 days
3. Clomiphene (Clomid): 2 x 50 mg for 30 days

Clinical trials have used this trio of medications to treat hypogonadal men with 100% success within 45 days.

MK-677 can cause an increase in visceral fat, causing a bloated appearance in the midsection. Visceral fat is the internal adipose tissue surrounding the organs, which various anabolic steroids can increase, causing a steroid gut effect (44).

MK-677 can also exacerbate blood pressure due to increased blood sugar levels, increasing the risk of atherosclerosis and atrial fibrillation. RAD 140 and LGD-4033 may also raise blood pressure due to reductions in HDL cholesterol; therefore, blood pressure should be closely monitored during this cycle via a sphygmomanometer.

What is Dr. Emer’s Perspective on MK-677?

Despite MK-677 posing several adverse effects, Dr. Jason Emer recommends it for improved body composition, overall health, and longevity. Dr. Emer says he regularly has his patients combine it with semaglutide and other peptides, successfully reducing blood sugar levels (45).

However, users are advised to exercise caution when utilizing MK-677 exclusively, as certain clinical studies suggest that it may elevate fasting blood glucose levels, potentially resulting in hyperglycemia (46, 47).

FAQs

How Long Should Users Rest Between SARM Cycles?

For adequate recovery, we have found that rest duration should at least equal the cycle time. Thus, if a SARM cycle lasts 8 weeks, users should recover for a minimum of 8 weeks. Subjects are also advised to be in optimal health before commencing any SARM cycle.

Are There Potential Negative Interactions Post-SARM Cycle?

In our experience, certain users may not experience any apparent adverse effects. Nevertheless, other users can experience testicular atrophy, decreased well-being, or increased fatigue (48). We have discovered that these symptoms typically ameliorate several weeks after cycle cessation when the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis regulates.

Are the Outcomes of SARM Cycles Temporary or Permanent?

We commonly see fat loss results maintained post-cycle, assuming the person eats maintenance calories or less. Muscle hypertrophy is mostly retained post-cycle if users continue lifting weights.

LGD-4033 users are likely to lose approximately 20% of their weight post-cycle, which can be attributed to water loss.

Endurance results from Cardarine and Stenabolic can decline post-cycle. However, regular cardiovascular exercise can maintain the majority of the results.

Can SARMs Affect Mood?

• Our patients frequently report an improvement in their overall well-being during SARM cycles.
• However, this is believed to be a temporary phenomenon, as a decrease in overall mood is observed post-cycle until endogenous testosterone levels return to their typical levels.

Can SARMs Enhance Performance in Sports?

SARMs have been employed in sports, as evidenced by Ryan Garcia’s detection of Ostarine in his system following his boxing match against Devon Haney. Several of our bodybuilding patients have also utilized SARMs to enhance fat metabolism and promote muscle growth.

Athletes are advised to consult the appropriate governing bodies to determine whether SARMs are permissible in their respective sports.

Are SARMs Addictive?

The potential for dependency on SARMs may be contingent upon the compound(s) used and the user’s susceptibility to addiction. In our experience, the risk of addiction appears to be lower than that of anabolic steroids. This may be due to lower levels of anabolism and lesser reductions in endogenous testosterone observed.

Consequently, we have found that users do not generally experience the same degree of euphoria as a steroid cycle, yet the post-cycle phase can be less problematic.

Do Liquid SARMs Display Enhanced Bioavailability?

Liquid SARMs have demonstrated a higher bioavailability than capsules in our testing. Nevertheless, the latter method of administration can still produce favorable results.

How Are Liquid SARMs Taken?

1. Some users place the liquid into their mouth and swallow.
2. In contrast, other users administer them sublingually, which entails positioning the liquid under the tongue and allowing it to remain for a period of 10 to 30 seconds before swallowing.

In our experience, the latter method can be more efficacious because it has a larger degree of contact with the mucous membrane.

Can Grapefruit Juice Increase the Absorption of SARMs?

Grapefruit juice has the potential to enhance the bioavailability of specific medications by inhibiting an enzyme called cytochrome P450 3A4, or CYP3A4 (49). Our patients have reported that the therapeutic effects of SARMs are amplified when combined with grapefruit juice; however, the severity of adverse effects may also increase.

What is the Price of SARMs?

The price of SARMs can fluctuate based on the brand and products purchased. Although more expensive, we find sources that offer certificates of analysis can guarantee the compound’s purity and authenticity.

Can Researchers Cycle SARMs Alongside Anabolic Steroids?

We have observed anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) stacked with SARMs on a couple of occasions in patients. Therefore, we have not found it to be a common practice. One individual combined Anavar with RAD 140, while another individual stacked LGD 4033 with testosterone.

• Our observations suggest that combining SARMs with steroids is unlikely to produce substantially superior outcomes compared to the solitary use of anabolic steroids.
• This may be due to SARMs not being as effective at stimulating anabolism while still presenting certain levels of toxicity (50, 51).

Can Users Inject SARMs?

It is possible to administer SARMs through injection; however, this method is less prevalent than oral administration, as the manufacturing processes are generally designed for oral consumption.

Summary: What Are the Pros and Cons of Cycling Multiple SARMs?

Several advantages of cycling SARMs in tandem are:

1. Increased anabolism
2. Enhanced muscular strength
3. Further reductions in fat-free mass

However, a potential disadvantage of cycling multiple SARMs simultaneously is increased toxicity and damage to the HPTA.

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